Beta-Blocker Lab Mistake May Lead to Skin Cancer Drug

Carvedilol is a beta-blocker commonly used to lower blood pressure and treat heart failure.

An error in the laboratory, however, has led to the discovery of another possible use for the drug: the prevention of skin cancer.

Researchers from the Western University of Health Sciences in California found that carvedilol can protect skin from the damaging effects ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.

UVB radiation is the shortwave radiation emitted by the sun. It is the primary cause of sunburn and it plays a significant role in the development of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer.

More than in the United States are diagnosed with basal or squamous cell skin cancers each year.

In 2017, more than will be diagnosed with melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun or indoor tanning is one of the biggest risk factors for the disease.

UV radiation can damage the DNA of skin cells, which can lead to genetic mutations that give rise to skin cancer.

One of the best ways to protect against the harmful effects of UV radiation is to wear sunscreen.

However, Dr. Ying Huang, a study co-leader and assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy at Western University, and her colleagues say they discovered carvedilol may be more effective than sunscreen when it comes to skin cancer prevention.

The researchers are due to present their study on Tuesday at the meeting held in Chicago.

Possible use in skin creams

The team notes that not all beta-blockers demonstrate anti-cancer properties.

They add that the mechanism by which carvedilol protects against skin cancer is independent of its mechanisms as a beta-blocker.

"We have preliminary data indicating that the cellular targets for carvedilol are not related to the beta-adrenergic receptors that are the commonly accepted targets for all beta-blockers,” said Bradley T. Andresen, PhD, a study co-leader and assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy at Western University. “They likely target unexpected mechanisms involved in cancer development."

The team plans to gain a better understanding of carvedilol’s anti-cancer processes in future research.

The long-term goal is to include carvedilol and similar beta-blockers in skin creams or sprays that can protect against the damaging effects of UV exposure.

"Our research could lead to the development of a class of new cancer-preventive agents,” said Andresen.

The researchers note that topical administration of carvedilol would protect the skin without having any impact on blood pressure and heart rate, as it does with oral administration.